Pail storage shelf and rack

Abstract

There is disclosed a storage shelf which is specifically designed for an orderly storage of pails with tapered sidewalls. The shelf is used on a rack with end frames which support longitudinal rails at each shelf level. The shelves of the invention are supported between the longitudinal rails, with their ends resting on ledges which are on the inside surface of each rail. Each shelf is formed of heavy gauge sheet metal having coextensive, sidewalls with inclined inside walls. The height and inclination of the inside walls corresponds to the difference between the top and bottom diameters of the pails. This results in a shelf having inclined sidewalls which center the pails on the shelves, yet which provides minimal clearance between the tops of the pails, from row to row, thereby achieving automatic alignment of the pails without increasing the overall size or bulk of the storage unit. Each shelf is braced by its sidewalls and by a central longitudinal rib on its undersurface. To adapt the shelf to fit conventional racks, an angle is placed transversely on each end, thus locating the shelf beneath the top edge of the rail at a distance equal to the height of the sidewalls of the shelf. Also, in a preferred embodiment, a cross wall is provided medially of the shelf.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a storage system which includes a rack having a frame of opposite end walls, longitudinal side rails extending therebetween, and shelf supports on inside walls of said side rails, the improved shelving in combination with a plurality of pails having tapered sidewalls, each with a top diameter and a lesser bottom diameter stored thereon, which comprises: a plurality of storage shelves mounted edge to edge with their opposite ends supported by and extending between said shelf supports and each shelf of said plurality of shelves having elevated side walls along each of its side edges coextensive its length with inclined inside edges and having a flat shelf therebetween with a width approximately equal to said bottom diameter of said pails and a total width substantially equal to said top diameter of said pails, whereby the inclined inside walls of said shelves centers said pails which are placed thereon, in an orderly alignment. 
     
     
       2. The storage system of claim 1 wherein said shelf has a laterally extending angle on the undersurface of each of its ends with a sufficient height to raise said shelf and align the top edges of its sides with the top edge of said longitudinal side rails of said rack. 
     
     
       3. The storage system of claim 1 wherein said shelf has a central longitudinal brace on its undersurface. 
     
     
       4. The storage system of claim 1 wherein said shelf has a central lateral wall on its upper surface. 
     
     
       5. The storage system of claim 1 wherein said overall width of said shelf is from 1/2 to 1 inch greater then said top diameter of said pails. 
     
     
       6. The storage system of claim 1 wherein said rack has a plurality of said side rails, with two side rails each disposed at each of a plurality of shelf levels, and with a plurality of said shelves supported by and extending between said ledges at each shelf level. 
     
     
       7. The storage system of claim 6 wherein said each of said shelves has a laterally extending angle on the undersurface of each of its ends with a sufficient height to raise said shelf and align the top edge of its sides with the top edge of said longitudinal side rails. 
     
     
       8. The storage system of claim 6 wherein each of said shelves has a central longitudinal brace on its undersurface. 
     
     
       9. The storage system of claim 6 wherein each of said shelves has a central lateral wall on its upper surface. 
     
     
       10. The storage system of claim 6 wherein the overall width of each of said shelves is from 1/2 to 1 inch greater than said top diameter of said pails.